Kenya national football team facts for kids

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Kenya

Nickname(s)

Harambee Stars

Association

Football Kenya Federation

Confederation

CAF (Africa)

Sub-confederation

CECAFA (Central & East Africa)

Head coach

James Nandwa

Captain

Michael Olunga

Most caps

Musa Otieno (90)

Top scorer

William Ouma (35)

Home stadium

Moi International Sports Centre

FIFA code

KEN

First colours

Second colours

FIFA ranking

Current

106

1 (7 February 2019)

Highest

68 (December 2008)

Lowest

137 (July 2007)

Elo ranking

Current

108

2 (3 March 2019)

Highest

60 (November 1983)

Lowest

140 (August 2011)

First international

Kenya 1–1 Uganda

(Nairobi, Kenya; 1 May 1926)

Biggest win

Kenya 10–0 Zanzibar

(Nairobi, Kenya; 4 October 1961)

Biggest defeat

Uganda 13–1 Kenya

(Uganda; 1932)

Africa Cup of Nations

Appearances

6 (first in 1972)

Best result

Group stage (1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004 and 2019)

The Kenya national football team represents Kenya in association football. It is controlled by the Football Kenya Federation, the governing body football in Kenya, and competes as a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). It is colloquially known as Harambee Stars and plays its home games primarily at the Nyayo National Stadium in the capital, Nairobi.

History
Recent results
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
Coaching history
Players
Records
Competition records
See also

History

FIFA suspended Kenya from all football activities for 3 months in 2004, due to the interference of the government in football activities. The ban was reversed after the country agreed to create new statutes.

On 25 October 2006, Kenya was suspended from international football for failing to fulfill a January 2006 agreement made to resolve recurrent problems in its federation. FIFA announced that the suspension would be in force until the federation complies with the agreements previously reached.

Kenya qualified for the 2019 AFCON. The head coach at the time Sébastien Migné was appointed in May 2018, and since his appointment Kenya has climbed back into the top 100 FIFA ranked nations.

In May 2017, the Football Kenya Federation signed a 3-year partnership with kits manufacturer Mafro Sports to provide the kits for all national teams, as well as junior categories. The national team will use red jerseys for home matches, white jerseys for away matches, and green jerseys for matches played on neutral venues.

On 8 September 2018, Kenya earned a win over 4-time African champions Ghana, winning 1–0.

On the 8th of March 2021, the Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa and Odibets General Manager Dedan Mungai unveiled a partnership. The partnership was the first of its kind where the betting company Odibets would sponsor the Kenyan football team to prepare for 5 upcoming matches. The 5 million shilling motivation deal was set in place to cater for the team's wants and needs. While it was set as a continuous partnership, the initial donation of KSH 5,000,000 was made as a 1 time payment.

Recent results

2021

2022 World Cup qualification 10 November	Uganda	1–1	Kenya	Entebbe, Uganda
	Bayo 89'	https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400209484	Olunga 62'	Stadium: St. Mary's Stadium-Kitende Referee: Souleiman Ahmed Djama (Djibouti)

2022 World Cup qualification 15 November	Kenya	2–1	Rwanda	Nairobi, Kenya
16:00 UTC+3	Olunga 2' Odada 15' (pen.)	https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400209481	Niyonzima 66'	Stadium: Nyayo National Stadium Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)

2022

2023 AFCON qualification 4 June	Cameroon	Forfeited	Kenya
17:00 UTC+1		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/04/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/cameroon/kenya/3782981/
Note: FIFA banned Kenya due to governmental interference in their Football Association [1]

2023 AFCON qualification 8 June	Kenya	Forfeited	Namibia
14:00 UTC+1		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/08/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/kenya/namibia/3782983/
Note: FIFA banned Kenya due to governmental interference in their Football Association [2]

2023 AFCON qualification September	Kenya	Forfeited	Burundi
		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/19/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/kenya/burundi/3782986/
Note: FIFA banned Kenya due to governmental interference in their Football Association [3]

2023 AFCON qualification September	Burundi	Forfeited	Kenya
		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/27/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/burundi/kenya/3782988/
Note: FIFA banned Kenya due to governmental interference in their Football Association [4]

2023

2023 AFCON qualification March	Kenya	Forfeited	Cameroon

Note: FIFA banned Kenya due to governmental interference in their Football Association [5]

2023 AFCON qualification March	Namibia	Forfeited	Kenya

Note: FIFA banned Kenya due to governmental interference in their Football Association [6]

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Ray Bachelor (1961)
Jack Gibbons (1966)
Elijah Lidonde (1967)
Eckhard Krautzun (1971)
Jonathan Niva (1972)
Ray Wood (1975)
Grzegorz Polakow (1979)
Stephen Yongo (1979)
Marshall Mulwa (1980–83)
Bernhard Zgoll (1984)
Reinhard Fabisch (1987, 1997, 2001–02)
Christopher Makokha (1988)
Mohammed Kheri (1988–90, 1995, 2005
Gerry Saurer (1992)
Vojo Gardašević (1996)
Abdul Majid (1998)
Christian Chukwu (1998)
James Siang'a (1999–00)
Joe Kadenge (2002)
Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2003–04, 2007–08, 2010, 2020–2021)
Twahir Muhiddin (2004–05, 2009–10)
Bernard Lama (2006)
Tom Olaba (2006)
Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2007–08)
Francis Kimanzi (2008–09, 2011–12)
Antoine Hey (2009)
Zedekiah Otieno (2010–11)
Henri Michel (2012)
James Nandwa (2012–13, 2023-)
Adel Amrouche (2013–14)
Bobby Williamson (2014–16)
Stanley Okumbi (2016–17, 2018)
Paul Put (2017–2018)
Sebastien Migne (2018–2019)
Francis Kimanzi (2019–2020)
Engin Fırat (2021)

Source : RSSSF

Players

The following players have been selected for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Uganda and Rwanda on 10 and 15 November 2021.

Caps and goals are correct as of 10 October 2021, after the match against Mali.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Ian Otieno	(1993-08-09) 9 August 1993 (age 30)	10	0	ZESCO United
23	1GK	James Saruni	(1985-11-24) 24 November 1985 (age 38)	2	0	Ulinzi Stars
18	1GK	Brian Bwire	(2000-06-19) 19 June 2000 (age 23)	1	0	Tusker

5	2DF	Musa Mohammed	(1991-06-06) 6 June 1991 (age 32)	44	0	Lusaka Dynamos
3	2DF	Aboud Omar	(1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 (age 31)	40	0	AEL
4	2DF	David Ochieng	(1992-10-07) 7 October 1992 (age 31)	35	2	Mathare United
13	2DF	Erick Otieno	(1995-09-27) 27 September 1995 (age 28)	34	0	AIK
2	2DF	Joseph Okumu	(1997-05-26) 26 May 1997 (age 26)	15	0	Gent
	2DF	Johnstone Omurwa	(1998-08-08) 8 August 1998 (age 25)	11	0	Sektzia Nes Tziona

17	3MF	Teddy Akumu	(1992-10-20) 20 October 1992 (age 31)	45	0	Kaizer Chiefs
11	3MF	Clifton Miheso	(1993-02-05) 5 February 1993 (age 30)	43	7	Gor Mahia
	3MF	Eric Johana Omondi	(1994-08-18) 18 August 1994 (age 29)	36	4	Muangthong United
10	3MF	Kenneth Muguna	(1996-01-06) 6 January 1996 (age 27)	24	2	Azam
22	3MF	Hassan Abdallah	(1996-07-06) 6 July 1996 (age 27)	16	6	Bandari
12	3MF	Samuel Onyango	(1994-11-30) 30 November 1994 (age 29)	13	0	Gor Mahia
8	3MF	Duke Abuya	(1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 (age 29)	8	0	Nkana
7	3MF	Cliff Nyakeya	(1995-01-11) 11 January 1995 (age 28)	8	2	Al Masry
6	3MF	Richard Odada	(2000-11-25) 25 November 2000 (age 23)	4	0	Philadelphia Union
19	3MF	Anthony Wambani	(1999-08-07) 7 August 1999 (age 24)	3	0	Vasalunds
15	3MF	Amos Nondi	(1999-02-10) 10 February 1999 (age 24)	0	0	Dila Gori
	3MF	Timothy Ouma	(2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 (age 19)	2	0	Elfsborg
21	3MF	Alwyn Tera	(1997-01-18) 18 January 1997 (age 26)	0	0	Ararat-Armenia

14	4FW	Michael Olunga	(1994-03-26) 26 March 1994 (age 29)	44	19	Al-Duhail
9	4FW	Ismael Dunga	(1993-02-24) 24 February 1993 (age 30)	0	0	Kamatamare Sanuki

The following players have been called up within the past 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Farouk Shikhalo	(1996-10-12) 12 October 1996 (age 27)	0	0	KMC	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
GK	Joseph Okoth	(1993-12-03) 3 December 1993 (age 30)	0	0	KCB	v. Uganda, 2 September 2021

DF	David Owino Odhiambo	(1988-04-05) 5 April 1988 (age 35)	66	2	NAPSA Stars	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
DF	Joash Onyango	(1993-01-31) 31 January 1993 (age 30)	18	0	Simba	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
DF	Daniel Sakari	(1999-01-25) 25 January 1999 (age 24)	11	0	Tusker	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
DF	Eugene Asike	(1993-11-30) 30 November 1993 (age 30)	6	0	Karlstad	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
DF	Bolton Omwenga	(1996-12-17) 17 December 1996 (age 26)	5	0	Kagera Sugar	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
DF	David Owino Ambulu	(1998-07-20) 20 July 1998 (age 25)	1	0	KCB	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
DF	Haron Shakava	(1992-11-26) 26 November 1992 (age 31)	6	1	Nkana	v. Uganda, 2 September 2021
DF	Andrew Juma	(1997-08-07) 7 August 1997 (age 26)	1	0	Gor Mahia	v. Uganda, 2 September 2021
DF	Siraj Mohammed	(1998-12-04) 4 December 1998 (age 25)	0	0	Bandari	v. Uganda, 2 September 2021
DF	Frank Odhiambo	(2002-10-22) 22 October 2002 (age 21)	1	0	Haninge	v. Uganda, 2 September 2021

MF	Lawrence Juma	(1992-11-17) 17 November 1992 (age 31)	13	0	Sofapaka	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
MF	Ismael Athuman	(1995-02-01) 1 February 1995 (age 28)	11	0	Real Murcia	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
MF	Boniface Muchiri	(1996-08-28) 28 August 1996 (age 27)	6	0	Tusker	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
MF	Philip Mayaka	(2000-11-30) 30 November 2000 (age 23)	0	0	Colorado Rapids	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
MF	Eric Zakayo	(1998-08-17) 17 August 1998 (age 25)	0	0	Tusker	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
MF	Patilah Omoto	(1995-03-02) 2 March 1995 (age 28)	16	0	Kariobangi Sharks	v. Uganda, 2 September 2021
MF	Duncan Otieno	(1994-05-26) 26 May 1994 (age 29)	13	1	Lusaka Dynamos	v. Uganda, 2 September 2021
MF	Jackson Macharia	(1994-06-15) 15 June 1994 (age 29)	1	0	Tusker	v. Uganda, 2 September 2021
MF	Enoch Momanyi		0	0	Talanta	v. Uganda, 2 September 2021

FW	Erick Kapaito	(1995-12-25) 25 December 1995 (age 27)	3	1	Abra Minch	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
FW	Henry Atola	(2001-06-12) 12 June 2001 (age 22)	2	0	AIK	v. Mali, 10 October 2021
FW	Masoud Juma	(1996-02-03) 3 February 1996 (age 27)	16	5	Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi	v. Uganda, 2 September 2021
FW	Elvis Rupia	(1995-04-12) 12 April 1995 (age 28)	2	1	AFC Leopards	v. Uganda, 2 September 2021

Records

Players in bold are still active with it.

Most appearances
Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Musa Otieno	90	9	1993–2009
2	Jonathan Niva	88	10	1965–1976
3	Allan Thigo	81	11	1969–1978
4	John Nyawanga	80	17	1965–1976
5	Dennis Oliech	76	34	2002–2015
6	Robert Mambo Mumba	72	13	2000–2009
7	Titus Mulama	71	8	2001–2012
8	Francis Onyiso	70	0	1996–2011
9	Wilberforce Mulamba	68	14	1978–1988
9	James Siang'a	68	0	1963–1975

Top goalscorers
Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	William Ouma	35	66	0.53	1965–1977
2	Dennis Oliech	34	76	0.45	2002–2015
3	Elijah Lidonde	33	26	1.27	1950–1961
4	Ali Kajo	26	32	0.81	1959–1969
4	Livingstone Madegwa	26	49	0.53	1964–1972
6	Joe Kadenge	25	63	0.4	1957–1970
7	John Baraza	21	52	0.4	2002–2011
8	Michael Olunga	20	45	0.44	2015–
9	Daniel Nicodemus	17	34	0.5	1963–1972
	Mike Origi	17	48	0.35	1990–2004
	John Nyawanga	17	80	0.21	1965–1976

Competition records

FIFA World Cup

Final									Qualification
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1966	Did not enter								Declined participation
1970	Did not enter								Declined participation
1974	Did not qualify								6	2	2	2	9	8
1978									2	0	1	1	0	1
1982									2	1	0	1	3	6
1986									4	1	1	2	6	10
1990									6	1	3	2	2	4
1994									2	1	0	1	2	4
1998									8	4	1	3	13	14
2002									2	0	1	1	0	2
2006									12	4	1	7	13	18
2010									12	4	1	7	13	16
2014									8	3	3	2	11	5
2018									4	2	1	1	6	4
2022									6	1	3	2	4	9
2026	To be determined								To be determined
Total									74	24	18	32	82	101

Africa Cup of Nations

Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1957 to 1959	Not affiliated to CAF
1962 to 1970	Did not qualify
1972	Group stage	5th	3	0	2	1	3	4
1974 to 1982	Did not qualify
1984	Did not enter
1986	Did not qualify
1988	Group stage	8th	3	0	1	2	0	6
1990		8th	3	0	1	2	0	3
1992		9th	2	0	0	2	1	5
1994	Did not qualify
1996	Withdrew
1998 to 2002	Did not qualify
2004	Group stage	11th	3	1	0	2	4	6
2006 to 2017	Did not qualify
2019	Group stage	17th	3	1	0	2	3	7
2021	Did not qualify
2023	Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
2025	To be determined
Total			17	2	4	11	11	31